Since joining the Company, Yoshinori Matsuzaki had built his career as Store Manager and contributed to the development of the Beauty & Youth business as General Manager of the Beauty & Youth Division. Subsequently, he assumed the position of Director in June 2018 and led the Company’s mainstay business as General Manager of Business Unit I, supervising all businesses of the trend-consciousness market. Since assuming the position of Representative Director, President and CEO in April 2021, he has demonstrated strong leadership and been playing the role of the highest-level decision-maker and supervisor of business execution in the Group’s management. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, he formulated a long-term vision and a new medium-term management plan for the next stage of growth and improved gross profit margin through higher inventory efficiency.
He is in charge of the overall management of the Group for the achievement of the ongoing medium-term management plan.

Since joining the Company, Tatsuya Kimura had built his career as Store Manager and contributed to the development of the Green Label Relaxing business as General Manager of the Green Label Relaxing Division. He assumed the position of Director in June 2018 and led the Company’s mainstay business as General Manager of Business Unit II responsible for supervision of all businesses of the basic trend-conscious market. Since April 2021, as Chief Operating Officer (COO), he had been responsible for the supervision of business execution related to the Company’s supply chain by promoting digital transformation (DX) of the Company’s infrastructure, including the digitization of product procurement and modification of the core system for product control, contributing to improved operational efficiency and business productivity. In addition, as Representative Director of COEN CO., LTD., a subsidiary of the Company, he has promoted the establishment of a basis for regrowth of the company.
He is considered to contribute to the enhancement of the corporate value of the Group for the achievement of the ongoing medium-term management plan.

Since joining the Company, Takeo Nakazawa has built his career in the finance and accounting and contributed to the improvement of the Company’s financial base through accurate investment decision-making, risk control, etc. He assumed the position of Director in June 2023. As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), he has been responsible for the supervision of the administrative functions throughout the Company, including the Company’s risk management and business accounting. Based on his experience and expertise in finance, he has been instrumental in maintaining the Company’s financial stability.
He is in charge of finance and governance throughout the Group for the achievement of the ongoing medium-term management plan and maximization of the corporate value by improving capital efficiency on a company-wide basis.

Since joining the Company, Kazuyasu Tanaka had built his career as a manager responsible for the United Arrows business and the small business units (SBU) business and greatly contributed to the development of the Company’s women’s label, utilizing his experience as general manager at other companies in the industry and managerial experience at an affiliate of the Company. Subsequently, he assumed the position of Executive Officer and General Manager of Sales Management Division in April 2021 and led the Company’s mainstay business through the improvement of the supply chain, organizational reform, and other measures. In April 2022, he assumed the position of Chief Merchandising Officer (CMO), in which capacity he was responsible for the supervision of
merchandising functions for the enhancement of the product value of the Company. Furthermore, he had promoted appropriate product procurement throughout the Company from the viewpoint of improving profitability.
He is in charge of the new business development throughout the Group for the achievement of the ongoing medium-term management plan.

After joining an audit firm, Toru Nishiwaki obtained a certified public accountant qualification and was in charge of accounting audit services for multiple listed companies as a chief auditor. In addition, after being seconded to the Ministry of Finance, he joined Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. to experience listing examination and finance practice. Thereafter, he gained experience of listing on stock exchanges twice at business companies, and after listing, as a Director, gained experience in directing management in areas such as accounting and finance, legal affairs and compliance, and human resources. Although he has worked for Nomura Securities Co., Ltd., which is the lead managing underwriter of the Company, more than 10 years have already passed since he retired from the said company. He does not have any business relationship or other relationship with the said company, and the said company itself is not a major business partner of the Company nor an entity that holds the Company as a major business partner. Therefore, the Company has judged that there is no problem with his independence as there is no influence of the said company on his career. The Company expects that he will make efforts to improve the governance system that contributes to the improvement of medium- to long-term corporate value and to perform monitoring related to the promotion of sustainability, in the roles of Outside Director and Standing Audit and Supervisory Committee Member. Based on this knowledge and achievements, the Company appointed him as outside director (Audit and Supervisory Committee member) in the belief that he would contribute to the further strengthening of the sound and efficient management of the Company, and he was elected in the 35th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. He satisfies the Independence Determination Standards for Independent Officers set forth by the Company.

Yusaku Kurahashi established Kurahashi Law Office and has been engaged in the resolution of lawsuits and other disputes and in M&A, business reorganization, and corporate legal affairs as its Representative Partner. He has particularly deep knowledge of corporate governance. He also has experience with reviews, clarification of management responsibilities and radical system reforms through participation in third party committees for corporate scandal cases. At the Company, he has served as an Outside Director for four (4) years and as a member of the Audit and Supervisory Committee and the Nomination and Compensation Committee for four (4) years. He has utilized his experience and knowledge to strengthen the corporate governance and internal control systems of the Company. Based on this knowledge and achievements, the Company appointed him as outside director (Audit and Supervisory Committee member) in the belief that he will be able to contribute to the further strengthening of the sound and efficient management of the Company, and he was elected in the 35th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. He satisfies the qualification for independence stipulated by Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc. as well as the Independence Criteria for Independent Officers set forth by the Company.

Shiho Takano has extensive experience in marketing, branding, new product development, etc. gained in numerous companies in the food and cosmetics industries, along with many years of deep knowledge as a manager. At the Company, she has served as an Outside Director for two (2) years and as a member of the Audit and Supervisory Committee and the Nomination and Compensation Committee for two (2) years. She has provided objective and neutral advice regarding management overall from a broad perspective not restricted to the industry to which the Company belongs, based on her experience and knowledge. The Company appointed her as outside director (Audit and Supervisory Committee member) in the belief that she would contribute to the further strengthening of the sound and efficient management of the Company, and she was elected in the 35th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. She satisfies the Independence Determination Standards for Independent Officers set forth by the Company.

Matsumoto was among the second group of new graduates who joined the Company. He is the only executive who has developed a career path not as a manager but as an expert. After working in sales and product planning, he has engaged in the designing of brand concepts and given directions as Brand Director for many years, and contributed to the enhancement of brand value by improving products, store interiors, and visual promotions. As Chief Creative Officer (CCO) in charge of overseeing the whole business and corporate branding, his future mission is to take the lead in the field of creativity, which plays a key role together with business in a fashion company and brand, and thereby make UNITED ARROWS a dazzling brand.

Yuji Suzumura, having joined the Company as a prospective Chief Information Officer (CIO) in January 2021, possesses extensive practical and management experience as head of the information system department at a major distribution and retail company and an electronic component manufacturer. Additionally, with the ability to put diverse human resources together, which he developed at a global company where he previously worked, he has fulfilled a wide range of responsibilities in the IT realm such as in infrastructure, security, applications and architecture. Notably, he has been taking the lead in large projects including the replacement of the Company’s e-commerce (EC) and merchandise management systems. His upcoming mission as CIO is to draw up an IT strategy based on a long-term vision and a medium-term management plan, and to lead the drive to increase operational efficiency through promotion of digital transformation.

Tan joined the Company as an accounting staff member, and since then, he has headed the Investor Relations (IR) Department of the Company for many years. He has made outstanding achievements as an IR specialist, which include: Corporate Value Improvement Award from Tokyo Stock Exchange (2012), Porter Prize (2013), Best IR Award from Japan Investor Relations Association (2014). Behind this track record lies the great trust stakeholders, such as investment analysts and institutional investors, have built up in him based on his strong sense of ethics, altruism, and enthusiasm for social contribution. As Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) in charge of not only IR but also corporate planning and the sustainability division, his future mission is to create the social value that lies ahead of corporate value. He is expected to achieve both high business performance and sustainability without trading off either.

Mariko Yamasaki, who joined the Company as a new graduate employee in 1996 through its 2nd annual recruitment campaign, acquired practical experience in publicity and advertising in the Sales Promotion Department and became the Department Manager of the Public Relations Department in 2006. Since then, she has consistently held management roles in the Corporate Planning Department, UNITED ARROWS Business, the Human Resources Department, etc. She excels in value creation for intangible assets including our brands, corporate culture, intellectual property and human resources, and as a female manager with child-rearing experience herself, she has formidable competence for conveying messages both within and outside the Company.
She will supervise the Human Resources Division as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), and her mission is to enhance the corporate value of the Company in the medium to long term, responding to corporate and social challenges by increasing the value of our human resources.

He joined the company in 2001 after working in supply chain operations for a major apparel company. He has supported the Product Department with his expertise in production, quality control, and trading, and at times has served as a check and balance.
Since his appointment as General Manager of Supply Chain Management Division, he has expanded the scope of his jurisdiction from commercial distribution to logistics and overseas business and has also served as a director of an overseas subsidiary. He is an indispensable brain in promoting our growth strategy, mainly in the fashion retail business, both in Japan and overseas. In addition to his deep knowledge of the supply chain, he is also well versed in related laws and regulations, business processes, and data management, and plays a role in promoting product compliance and governance.
Currently, he also serves as the head of the UA3.0 B.P.R. Office, department dedicated to the development of the core system for commodity procurement and is engaged in the centralization of data for procurement processes and the promotion of DX. His mission is to provide high product value to customers by promoting product strategies that are in sync with the management strategies of the Group.